Survey to gauge effect of restructure

By David Ferguson

Federation seeks to hear from non school based education teaching service (NSBETS) members who have been adversely affected financially by the restructure of the Department of Education and Training.

This particularly relates to members who have been unsuccessful in gaining a position at a commensurate salary level following the restructure. Federation would like you to contact the union if:

• you had been in non school based positions for a long period, such as over five years;
• you have applied for other appropriate NSBETS positions through the restructure procedures; and
• you have had to accept a position at a significantly lower salary level.

If you are in this position, fax the OCAA Organisers Michelle Rosicky or David Ferguson on (02) 9217 2484 to request a Long-term NSBETS Survey and you will be sent one by return fax.

The eight months since the restructure was first floated have been very stressful. While the restructure may be seen as being 'over' by some, there are many issues that are outstanding for individuals and the system. Some people are still applying for NSBETS positions while others are attempting to negotiate what their new role is in one of the 10 'regional' models that seem, unfortunately, to be developing. Some people are enjoying the renewed challenges of working within a school whilst others have been placed in positions not of their choosing. This is happening while some offices within regions still have vacant consultancy positions.

Many schools and colleges are just beginning to become aware that the support previously accessible from the Department -- not always adequate -- is no longer available or much more difficult to obtain. After all that members have been through, the least that the union demands is that the Department lives up to its own rhetoric and ensure that it improves its focus on supporting schools and colleges across the state. Is Director-General Andrew Cappie-Wood listening?

David Ferguson is a City Organiser.